Traditional Arts Honored at Dorchester Center for the Arts

Dorchester Center for the Arts is pleased to announce an upcoming new event: “Carved in History: The Art of the Decoy”, to be held on Sunday April 8, noon – 6:00 p.m. This one-day family-friendly event celebrates the art of decoy carving on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in this traditional art through hands-on demonstrations, discussions, exhibits, and youth activities.

To open the program, and again later in the afternoon, Master Carver and Dorchester County native Warren Saunders will talk about his experiences and demonstrate his carving technique. Additional activities include:
– Youth Carvers Workshop, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Adult carving students from Warren Saunders’ decoy carving class at DCA will be assisting area youth as they try their hand at carving. Ages 12 and up. Materials are provided. Please be accompanied by an adult.
– Exhibit: “The Decoy from Start to Finish” ongoing
Examine the stages of carving, including description of the process and tools utilized.
Courtesy of the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury, MD
– Film: “Nature’s Counterfeiters: Lem and Steve Ward”, ongoing
This film highlights the story of renowned carvers Lemuel T. Ward, Jr. (1896-1984) and Stephen Ward (1895-1976) of Crisfield, MD by displaying their lives, legacy, and artwork. Working as a team over their long careers, the two brothers produced a wide variety of decoys in many styles. Early on Lem and Steve made working decoys, however they gradually progressed into making more decorative renderings of birds. It is the lifelike detail and innovation that the Ward Brothers brought to decoy making for which they are now so well regarded.

Courtesy of the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury, MD

While admission to the event is free and all are welcome, an additional ticketed exhibit “Treasured Birds” will be held in the second floor George B. Todd Performance Hall, featuring regional working and decorative carvings on loan from private collections – a unique opportunity to view some exquisite work not generally available to the public. On display will be several decorative decoy carvings by the late W.G. Sutter. Known for his hyper realistic technique, Sutter never sold his work or competed, but instead gave them to friends and organizations he valued. Additional work by Warren Saunders, Ronnie Newcomb, and more.

As a special feature, appraisals will be included with ticketed exhibit admission. Joe Engers of Decoy Magazine will be doing on site appraisals from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Visitors may have up to two decoys professionally appraised and evaluated. Decoy Magazine is a bi-monthly publication which serves the interests of decoy collectors worldwide. They provide exclusive information on decoys and makers from the golden age of waterfowling as well as comprehensive coverage of decoy auctions, shows and events.

The event will also include additional participation by the Dorchester County Historical Society. For more information, details, and updates please visit DCA online at www.dorchesterarts.org. Special thanks to the Heart of the Chesapeake Country Heritage Area and Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for their support of this event. Programs at DCA are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council, celebrating 50 years of service to the arts.
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~ Dorchester Center for the Arts

About the Photo:
American Black Duck drake by W. G. Sutter